...would be the name of this topic if I wanted to trick you into reading it.

Really what I wanted to say is going to piss off a few of you but bear with me. I'm writing this because I want the best for you guys.

A lot of people think that using commercial software they haven't paid for (warez) is somehow justified because they don't have money or are too young to work, etc.

A lot of people who do this also say that when they can afford it, they will purchase all their software. My experience has taught me this is usually not the case.

When you remove the excuses, the bottom line is that you're stealing. and there are at least two victims.

The first victim is the maker of the software. Software developers - I happen to be one by day - work very hard to make a product that works and does what the users demand. Then they hope it brings enough money to put food on the table for the family.

A software product that sells for say $50, might come from a company that has 50 or more employees that need to be paid too.

The second victim is you. Because every time you load up that pirated copy of whatever, you are re-enforcing the fact that you don't care enough about yourself to invest in yourself.

Over time, that can really affect a person's mental attitude if that person has at least a tiny shred of morals. I'm not saying it will push you over the edge, but going legit is very liberating and you won't know how much of  a burden you were carrying until you do go legit.

Many of you are going to call me crazy, but it's 100% true.

I'm not really trying to get preachy, and I still got love for all the Warbeats fam regardless, but as the mentor figure here, I have to say it.

So think about it and let's all move on.